The Best Online Master’s in Legal Studies Programs
Summary of work: More than 45 hours of research. Every online Master in Legal Studies program in the US analyzed. 19 industry experts, hiring managers, current students, and alumni consulted. 15 of the best programs identified.
Our Picks
- 1Northeastern University
- 2Drexel University
- 3Washington University in...
- 4University of Illinois...
- 5University of Oklahoma
- 6Santa Barbara &...
- 7Webster University
- 8Arizona State University
- 9Pepperdine University
- 10California University of...
- 11Albany Law School
- 12University of Arizona
- 13West Virginia University
- 14Hodges University
- 15Regent University
Overview
Legal studies is an interdisciplinary field that centers on how law shapes and is shaped by historical, socio-economic, and political contexts. Professionals work as consultants, teachers, court administrators, and compliance directors to ensure that institutions meet legal standards and uphold social and political equity. By viewing law from empirical and humanist perspectives, legal studies professionals work to ensure that future legal decisions and policies maintain address concerns in jurisprudence and theories of justice in an ethical manner.
Given the complexity of legal frameworks, many legal studies professionals choose to obtain a master’s degree. The advanced coursework opens the opportunity to refine their understanding of the historical and cultural dynamics of law and how they relate to democratic participation, privacy, autonomy, and individual liberty. In short, degree holders gain unique analytical abilities that allows them to understand and communicate the importance and lasting effects of legal interpretation and policy decisions. As consultants, teachers, or directors, graduates become responsible for protecting against actions that could have harmful ramifications.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A MASTER'S IN LEGAL STUDIES?
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CAN I GET A MASTER'S IN LEGAL STUDIES ONLINE?
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HOW DO I GET A MASTER'S IN LEGAL STUDIES?
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A MASTER'S IN LEGAL STUDIES?
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HOW WELL ACCEPTED ARE ONLINE LEGAL STUDIES DEGREES?
The field of legal studies provides an essential benefit to society. The responsibility to critique, analyze, and uphold laws ensures that communities progress toward more equitable policies that benefit all–especially the underserved. For those who choose to obtain a graduate degree, they can feel confident they are joining a network of other professionals who will lead the charge to such a future.
For more more resources and career information related to this degree, please read our career guide here.
Our Methodology
Best Online Master's in Legal Studies Programs
We took a deep-dive and analyzed every online Masters in Legal Studies program in the nation. Below are the results of our analysis and a list of the 15 best online Masters in Legal Studies programs.
Read about our methodology here.
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 2115Northeastern has an exceptional master's in legal studies program with a concentration in health law, giving students the foundation to lead successful careers after earning their degree. With courses in healthcare regulation and health law survey, graduates have the skills to advise hospitals, private physicians and other healthcare providers on licensing, malpractice litigation and more.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Law
Program Name: Master of Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Health Law, Business Law, Human Resources Law
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's Degree
Credit Requirements: 48 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time, Part-time
Program Length: Less than 2 years
Program start dates: September 5
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: August 15
Graduation Rate
82%
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$1,042 per credit
Drexel University
3320 Market St Philadelphia, PA 19104Drexel University's online master's in legal studies program covers all the bases, offering more than eight concentrations for distance learners. Whether it's criminal law, healthcare compliance or another track, graduate students can choose to focus their degree on a specific interest that aligns with their career goals.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Program Name: Master of Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Criminal Law, Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance, Entrepreneurship and Law, Financial Regulatory Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Higher Education Compliance, Human Resources Compliance, NCAA Compliance and Sports Law
Accrediting Body: CCB
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time, Part-time
Program start dates: Fall, Spring
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: July 22; Spring: December 6
GPA: 3.0
Graduation Rate
67%
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$1,215 per credit
Washington University in St. Louis
1 Brookings Dr St. Louis, MO 63130Washington University in St. Louis specializes in distance education and includes the necessary tools to help students succeed in the online master's in legal studies program. With tools such as LexisNexis and Westlaw, graduate students have access to first-rate databases that make it easy to conduct research for class assignments.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Washington University School of Law
Program Name: Master of Legal Studies
Accrediting Body: ABA
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsCredit Requirements: 24 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 1 year
Program start dates: January 14; April 1; July 8
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: October 22 - December 10; January 21 - February 25; April 29 - June 3
Graduation Rate
95%
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$2,134 per credit
University of Illinois Springfield
1 William Maxwell Ln Springfield, IL 62703The University of Illinois at Springfield offers an entirely online master's in legal studies program but includes a hybrid option for students who want to receive in-person clinical experience. Graduate students who choose this option can apply what they learn in a professional setting, gaining invaluable skills and knowledge to use in their own careers after graduation.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Department of Legal Studies
Program Name: Master of Arts in Legal Studies
DeliveryFormat: Online, Hybrid
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's Degree
Credit Requirements: 40 credits
Program LengthProgram start dates: Fall: August 27; Spring: January 14
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: March 1; Spring: October 1
GPA: 3.0
Graduation Rate
49%
School Type
Public
Tuition
$362 per credit
University of Oklahoma
660 Parrington Oval Norman, OK 73019Graduate students who want to advance their careers in Native American affairs should consider the University of Oklahoma's master's in legal studies program. It has a concentration in indigenous peoples law and covers everything from Native American natural resources to criminal jurisdiction in Indian country.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Law
Program Name: Master of Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Oil, Gas, and Energy Law, Indigenous Peoples Law, Healthcare Law
Accrediting Body: ABA
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsCredit Requirements: 33 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time, Part-time
Program Length: 15 months
Program start dates: August 20; January 14
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Rolling
Graduation Rate
67%
School Type
Public
Tuition
In-state: $504 per credit; Out-of-state: $884 per credit
Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law
4475 Market Street Ventura, CA 93003Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law offers a master's in legal studies program with courses in the American legal system, litigation and more. Most graduate students in this program attend on a part-time basis but are still able to earn their degree in about 18 months.
Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Frontiers in Law, Regulatory Compliance / Legal Risk Management
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Part-time
Program Length: 1.5 years
Program start dates: August 27; January 7; May 6
Admission RequirementsGPA: 2.3
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$625 per credit
Webster University
470 E Lockwood Ave St. Louis, MO 63119Graduate students in the master's in legal studies program at Webster University enjoy greater one-on-one time with professors thanks to small classes. With about 14 students to one class, professors are able to provide a better individualized experience and to help students as they complete the coursework.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Arts & Sciences
Program Name: Master of Arts in Legal Studies
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsCredit Requirements: 39 credits
Admission RequirementsGPA: 2.5
Graduation Rate
64%
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$780 per credit
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85281Arizona State University offers a master's in legal studies program with a concentration in sports law and business, making it the ideal choice for athletic directors, agents and other sports professionals who want to transition to a law career. The curriculum covers everything from amateur and professional sports law to NCAA infractions, compliance and enforcement.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Program Name: Master of Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Sports Law, Law & Sustainability, HR & Employment Law, Intellectual Property Law, Criminal Law, Corporate and Health Care Compliance
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's Degree
Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 1 year
Program start dates: January 7
Admission RequirementsGPA: 3.0
Graduation Rate
63%
School Type
Public
Tuition
$1,091 per credit
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, CA 90263Graduate students who want to enhance their knowledge of U.S. law and specialize in dispute resolution should enroll in Pepperdine University's online Master of Legal Studies program. The dispute resolution concentration is a popular choice among students and provides the skills to solve disputes between parties thanks to courses in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration theory and practice.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Law
Program Name: Master of Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Dispute Resolution
Accrediting Body: WASC Senior College and University Commission
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Credit Requirements: 32 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time, Part-time
Program Length: 16-28 months
Program start dates: January, May, September
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: February 15 - March 15; June 7 - July 12; October 11 - November 8
Work Experience: Relevant professional and volunteer work
During the two residency weekends in Malibu, our online students meet in person their professors, who are the same law school faculty members annually ranked among the top 10 law faculties in the country by The Princeton Review.
Graduation Rate
84%
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$2,055 per credit
California University of Pennsylvania
250 University Ave California, PA 15419California University of Pennsylvania offers a master's in legal studies program with a concentration in homeland security. Graduate students in this program learn to assess and apply legal issues that are related to homeland security at private, state and federal levels.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Graduate Studies and Research
Program Name: Master of Science in Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Law and Public Policy
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's Degree
Credit Requirements: 15 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time
Program Length: 2 years
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Rolling
GPA: 3.0
Graduation Rate
53%
School Type
Public
Tuition
In-state: $626 per credit; Out-of-state: $648 per credit
Albany Law School
80 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208Albany Law School works with students to create a flexible schedule, helping them to earn their degree while meeting their career and family commitments. Students in this program are introduced to law regarding cybersecurity and data privacy and can fit the coursework within their schedule.
Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Science in Legal Studies
Accrediting Body: Council of the Section of Legal Education, American Bar Association
DeliveryFormat: Online, On-Campus
Program requirementsCredit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: January 22
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: December 31
Our focus is on advancing the career of working professionals, and we are proud to be recognized as one of the top in the nation by Online Masters. One of our primary goals is to build a program for working professionals that fits into their lives, and being recognized as the #1 most flexible program is a great recognition of the hard work put in by so many here at the law school!
School Type
Private
Tuition
$1,000 per credit
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721Graduate students in the master's in legal studies program at the University of Arizona can concentrate on human rights law and learn the foundational skills to work with people in a variety of settings. The curriculum covers topics such as the American public and common law systems, giving students the core knowledge to work with individuals and groups who have been denied their basic human rights.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: James Rogers College of Law
Program Name: Master of Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Compliance and Legal Risk Management, International Trade and Business Law, Intellectual Property, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy, Human Rights, Environmental Law and Policy, Tax Law and Policy, Criminal Law and Policy, Family and Juvenile Law, Mining Law and Policy, Health Law
DeliveryFormat: Online
Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Program requirementsCredit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time, Part-time
Program Length: 1-4 years
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Spring: December 15; Summer: April 20; Fall: August 1
Graduation Rate
60%
School Type
Public
Tuition
$650 per credit
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506West Virginia University's master's in legal studies program prepares graduates for careers handling legal matters related to seniors and the disabled. With a curriculum that covers both foundational and advanced topics, students learn the skills to deal with everything from estate planning to long-term care advisement.
Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Legal Studies
Available Concentrations: Healthcare, Justice Systems, Homeland Security
Accrediting Body: Higher Learning Commission
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's Degree
Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 18 months
Program start dates: January 7
Admission RequirementsGPA: 2.75
The Master of Legal Studies degree is a great example of bringing educational opportunities to working professionals to advance their career goals in supporting institutions and individuals who interact with the legal system. This recognition is a testament to the accessibility and quality of the Master of Legal Studies program with small class sizes, flexible curriculum and emphasis in healthcare, justice systems and homeland security.
Graduation Rate
57%
School Type
Public
Tuition
$597 per credit
Hodges University
2647 Professional Cir Naples, FL 34119Hodges University's online master's in legal studies program is delivered in an accelerated format for students who want to earn their degree in a little over a year. New courses begin every seven and a half weeks and include topics in mediation, governance and intellectual property.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Nichols School of Professional Studies
Program Name: Master of Science in Legal Studies
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsCredit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time, Part-time
Program Length: 1 year
Program start dates: September 3
Admission RequirementsGPA: 3.0
Graduation Rate
25%
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$710 per credit
Regent University
1000 Regent University Dr Virginia Beach, VA 23464Regent University's faculty members rank highly every year for their academic and professional accomplishments. They are still active in their own legal professions while delivering the program coursework and sharing their expertise with students, developing them into successful graduates with the skills to excel in the American legal system.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Law
Program Name: Master of Arts in Law
Available Concentrations: General Legal Studies
Accrediting Body: ABA
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram start dates: Session C: January 14; Session T: February 11; Session D: March 18; Session E: May 13; Session F: June 24
Graduation Rate
50%
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$650 per credit